[Tipster] What Is a Narrative Arc?

Some of you want to write fiction, others are writing memoirs. Still others are writing business books or other kinds of nonfiction books.

And others simply want to learn how to write better.

The importance of the narrative arc applies to all writing, even traditionally boring consulting books.

What Is It?

The best description of a "narrative arc" is that it is the path that a story takes.

Pretty simple, right?

The narrative (or story) arc is, essentially, the events of the story.

An arc is mission critical if you want to keep your readers reading from the first sentence to the last.

In Roadtrippers, our weekly Q&A, we often talk about creating and maintaining tension.

The issue is this: Once you release the tension in your storytelling, your story is over ... whether you're done telling it or not.

The reader will bail. There is no reason to continue to read.

Getting crystal clear on your narrative arc will help you maintain tension throughout the book. And keep the reader reading.

Life Is a Journey, So Is Reading

So, as a writer, I need to be clear on the journey that I am taking my reader on.

Where does the journey begin in my article or book?

Where does it end? Where does the reader end up at the end of 2,500 words or 250 pages?

Here's another way to think about it:

  What is the emotion that I want to start the article or book with?

  What is the emotion that I want the reader to feel at the end?

Do you want the reader to feel hopeful? Energized to make a change? Depressed?

Well, probably not depressed.

That's it on the narrative arc for now. Google it for more information.

And if you're writing nonfiction, don't let yourself off the hook. All nonfiction books take readers on a journey.

Except maybe a textbook. Hah!